Convertible furniture



April 26, v1932. w. D. RICH CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE Filed Feb. 17.

1927 5 Sheets-Sheet l April 26, 1932. w. D. RICH CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE Filed F'eb. 1'7. 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 -NND April 26 w. D. RICH 1 CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE 855,488

Fil d e Feb. 17. 1927 5 Sheet Sh seet 5 e m, kwa NN April 26, 1932; w 'I D. RICH CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE l u l h s h F] ed Feb I? 5 s eet s eet 4 ELI gravi-z. 1*-

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April 26, 1932. w. D. RxcH 1,855,488

CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE Filed Feb. 17, 1927 5 Sheets-sheet 5 70W-Tam 5145;

Patented Apr. 26, 1932 UNITE STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIS D. RICH, OF HINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T DESKOR ACHAIR SALES CORPORATION, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE Application filed February 17, 192'?. l Serial No. 168,951.

In a schoolroom for example having chairs with desks, the chairs are ordinarily arranged with aisles between them so as to afford easy passage by the chairs to the front or rear of the room. When the room is to be used for assemblies it is desirable to have as large a seating area as possible, and the object of my invention is to fill these aisles or passages with temporary chairs which form vQ a part of the equipment of permanent chairs.

The invention can best be seen and understood by reference to the drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a front elevation of associated permanent chairs and a temporary aisle 1&5 chair interposed between them, such portions only of the permanent chairs being shown as are necessary for a proper understanding of the invention. v

Fig. 2 is a plan of what is shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig-1.

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a vertical cross section of a permanent chair having a convertible desk attachment with support mounted thereon.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the detached convertible desk attachment with support mounted thereon.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation on the line 7-7 of Fig. 1 looking along a row of chairs when the temporary aisle chairs are in use, and y Fig. 8 is a side elevation of a detached desk with support as shown in Fig. 6 when positioned to function as the seat and back of a temporary chair.

It will first be explained that the embodiment of the invention as shown in the drawings and presently to be describedcomprises a permanent chair and combined therewith a convertible desk and its support. Normally the desk and its support are mounted to hang over the back of the permanent chair, the desk itself then being turned to a position where it may be used by a pupil sitting behind the permanent chair and fronting the desk. When, however, it is desired to iill the aisle alongside the permanent chair and between it and the next adjacent permanent chair on the other side of the aisle, then the desk and its support are lifted oif their mounting and hung between the two adjacent along the chair sides by side bars 2 and a brace 3 and along the front by a front bar 4 and brace 5. The frame is extended upwardly at the back of the chair by spaced uprights or supports 8 preferably in extension of the rear legs of the chair. These uprights are preferably made relatively heavy Y and thick and carry forwardly projecting arms 9 of substantially the same thickness. The arms 9 lie above the opposite side bars 2 of the chair body, spaced therefrom, for a purpose later to' be referred to. Arranged between the uprights 8 is the back 10 of the permanent chair which is secured by screws 1l passed through the uprights 8 and fastening into the back holding it securely in place. l2 is the seat of the permanent chair. This is preferably a hinged seat so arranged that it may be turned up into an out-of-theway position, and is accordngly provided with trunnions 13 which turn in bearings 14 on the side bars 2 of the chair. The seat l2 is about equal in width to the space between the two arms 9 of the chair but does not extend beneath these arms in order that the seat may be turned upwardly into an out-of the-way position between the arms. Beneath the seat 12 the chair body is preferably provided with a bottom shelf 15 with a backing 16. Each of the uprights S is provided on its interior side at the top with an inclined slot 17. Below each of these slots the interior side of each of the uprights is cut away in part to leave a straight edge 18 and at the bottom a socket 19 is formed in the top inner side of the leg of which the upright is in eX- tension. Each of the uprights is also provided on its exterior side at the top with an inclined slot 20. Below this slot the exterior side of the upright isvcut away in part to leave a straight edge 21 and at the bottom a socket 22 is cut in the adjacent side bar 2 of the chair body. These slots, straight edges and sockets asist in the reception and support of the combination desk support and chair back to which att-ention will novv be directed.

23 is the convertible desk support and chair back. In general structure and finish this member is very much like the back 10 of the permanent chair through preferably slightn ly longer. On its outer side adjacent its top it is provided with a top crossbar 24 and on its inner side adjacent its bottom with a bottom crossbar 25; cut-outs 2G are made in its top corner edges. Along either side the member 23 is cut away from about its middle down to a point near its bottom edge leaving cut away portions or openings 27 adapted to receive certain straps of the hinge members later to be referred to, which assist in supporting the desk member from off the member 23. Outside the openings 27 the member 23 is provided with side bars 28 closing these openings along their outer sides. Projecting from either side of the member 23 at about its center are trunnions 29. These trunnions preferably extend through the top ends of the side bars 28.

30 is the convertible desk and seat. It has on its side 31, or its upper side when functioning as a desk, a flat plain surface. Its under side 32, which is its upper side when functioning as a chair seat, has the top finish of a chair seat. In general length the member 30 has about the length of the seat of a permanent chair. In width it is wider than the seat of a permanent chair and it is also wider than the member 23 by which it is supported.

The members 2.3 and 3() are pivotally connected by a set of hinged connections and these hinged connections will be described in light of the member 30 when functioning as a desk, the member 23 then functioning to support the desk substantially as shown in Fig. 6. Fastened by strap members to the member 23 above the openings 27 therein along the sides thereof are hinges 36. Connecting with the hinges 36 are strap members 37 which extend upward over the front face of the member 23 along the sides thereof above the openings 27 therein. Connecting with the desk member 30 at points adjacent the rear edge of this member are strap members 38. These strap members 38 are preferably inset into the top surface 31 of the member 30. The strap members 38 extend overthe top surface of the top crossbar 24 on the member 23 and over the top edge of this member by way of the cutouts 26 and connect with the outer ends of the strap members 37 by hinged connections 39. IVith the desk member 30 thus hingedly connected to the supporting member 23, when the supporting member is in an upright substantially vertical position the desk member may either be maintained to occupy a substantially horizontal position with extension rearward of the top end of the member 23 and top crossbar 24 thereon, or be turned over the supporting member 23 to occupy a substantially horizontal position with extension forward of and adjacent the lower end portion of the member 23 in extension of the bottom crossbar 25 thereon. Projecting at right angles from the outer sides of the straps 37 and preferably formed integral therewith are brackets 40.

Normally, as for example in school use where desks are to be used in connection with the permanent chairs and aisles are left running alongside the chairs, then the combined members 23 and 30 are hung between the uprights 8 at the back of a permanent chair. When so hung the member 23 will lie substantially parallel with the back 10 of the permanent chair. It will be supported in this position by its trunnions 29 resting in the slots 17 in the top of the uprights 8. Its side bars 28 will then lie ,flush with the interior sideds of said uprights and bear against the edges 18 of the uprights, While the lower ends of these bars will lie contained within the sockets 19 in the upper ends of the legs of which the uprights are in extension. Thus retained the member 23 then functioning as a desk support Will be held securely in place. "Vith the member 23 thus positioned the member 30 then functioning as a desk, will be occupying an inclined position awa-y from the top of the member 23 in substantial continuation of the top crossbar 24 theneon which then assists m forming a part of the desk and closes the gap between the desk and the top end of its support or member 23. Thus positioned the desk Will function as a desk for one sitting in the rear of the permanent chair back of which the desk is hung. When the desk is in this position the strap members 37 will have been turned to occupy positions extending upwardly and bear against the member 23 above the openings 27 along its sides. The strap members 38 connecting with the member 3 will then extend over the top of the member 23 through the co-rner cut-outs 26 therein and over its top crossbar 24. The hingedly connected straps will then operate to support the desk member 30 from olf the member 23. The desk member will also be supported at this time by the brackets 40 extending from the sides of the straps 37 to which they are secured.

Then it is desired to fill the aisle between permanent chairs then the convertible members 23 and 30 are lifted off the uprights on which they are mounted at the back of one of the permanent chairs. They are then placed in the aisle between adjacent ones of the permanent chairs and mounted upon adjacent spaced uprights of said adjacent ones of the permanentk chairs. Such mounting is effected by interposing the members 23 between the uprights 8 and slipping the trunnions 29 on the member 23 into the sockets 20 provided on the exterior sides of the uprights between which they are interposed. The side bars 28 of the member23 will then lie flush with the exterior sides of the uprights and bear against the edges 2l thereon while the lower ends of t-he side bars 28 will lie contained within the sockets 22 cut in the side bars 2 of the permanent chairs. Thus arranged, the member 23, then functioning as a chair back, is held securely in place and will be in substantial alignment with the backs l0 of the permanent chairs. With the member 23 thus positioned, the desk member 30 will then be turned forward over the top of the member 23, inverted and lowered to a position where it will come to rest upon the front and side rails of the adjacent permanent chairs, the desk member 30 then functioning to form a seat to the member 23 then functioning as a chair back as aforesaid. When the member 30 is thus positioned, the inner end portion thereof will slip beneath the arms 9 of the adjacent permanent chairs until it contacts with the cross bar 25 on the member 23 which then forms a continuation of the seat, filling the gap between the rear end of the seat proper and the member or back 23. The member or seat 30 thus positioned will lie in substantial alignment with the seats of the permanent chairs. As the member 30 is thus moved down into a position to function as aseat, the straps 37 of the hinge-forming connections will have been turned down into a position to pass through the openings 27 at either side of the member or back 23, while the brackets 4() on the hingeforming connections will assume positions snugly adjacent the arms 9 of the permanent chairs, the brackets preferably having the general shape of these arms.

A further capability of the structure resides in the fact that the convertible features are such as to permit of arrangement being made to afford easy access fo-r sweeping between and around the .permanent chairs. In such case the convertible members 23 and 30 are placed within the aisle between permanent chairs just as before described, thus clearing the desks, but instead of turning down the member 30 to form a seat, it is simply moved down into an upright out-ofthe-way position as shown in the dotted lines of Fig. 3, the bottom edge of the member then iitting within sockets 4:1 formed in the side bars 2 of the chair body. At the same time the seats l2 of the permanent chairs will be turned up as shown in the dotted lines of Fig. 4. Easy access is then obtained between the chairs for sweeping.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patcnt of the United States:

l. The combination comprising adjacent spaced chairs, a convertible attachment mounted at the back of one of said chairs and comprising separate members, one a desk and the other a support for the desk, means for combining said members whereby one may be converted to form a chair seat and the other aback for the seat, means for mounting said attachment at the back of one of said chairs whereby the desk member will function as a desk, and means for mounting said attachment convertible as aforesaid upon and between said adjacent spaced chairs to form an aisle chair between them.

2. The combination comprising adjacent spacer chairs, each having a seat and a back to the seat, a convertible attachment mounted at the back of one of said chairs and comprising a desk convertible into a chair seat, a support for the desk convertible into a chair back and means connecting said desk and support whereby they may be converted as aforesaid, means for mounting said attachment at the back of one of said chairs whereby the desk member will function as a desk, and means for-mounting said attachment convertible as aforesaid upon and between said adjacent spaced chairs to form an aisle chair between them whereby the desk support converted will form the back of the aisle chair lying in substantial alignment with the backs of the adjacent spaced chairs and the desk converted will form the seat of the aisle chair lying in substantial alignment with the seats of the adjacent spaced chairs.

3. The combination comprising adjacent spaced chairs having spaced uprights arranged at the backs of each of said chairs, a removable attachment mounted upon and between the uprights at the back of one of said chairs, said attachment comprising a desk and a support for the desk, means for mounting said attachment upon and between the uprights at the back of said one of the chairs whereby the support will overhang the back of said one of the chairs and the desk will occupy a rearward extending elevated position away from the back of said one of the chairs whereby it may be used by a person sitting in the rear of said one of the chairs, and means for mounting said attachment upon and between the spaced uprights of adjacent chairs to form an aisle chair between them.

4. The combination comprising adjacent spaced chairs having spaced uprights arranged at the backs of each of said chairs, a removable attachment mountable upon and between the uprights at the back of one of said chairs, said attachment comprising separate members, one a desk and the other a support for said desk, means for combining said members whereby one may be converted to form a chair seat and the other a back for said seat, means for mounting said attachment upon and between the uprights of said one of the chairs whereby the desk support may overhang the back of said one of the chairs and the desk will occupy a rearward extended elevated position away from the back of said one of the chairs whereby it may be used by a person sitting in the rear of said one of the cha-irs, and means for mounting said attachment convertible as aforesaid upon and between the spaced uprights of adjacent chairs to form an aisle chair between them.

5. The combination comprising adjacent spaced chairs having spaced uprights arranged at the backs of said chairs, a removable attachment mountable upon and between the uprights at the backs of said chairs or between spaced uprights of adjacent chairs, said attachment comprising separate members, one a desk convertible into a chair seat and the other a support for the desk convertible into a chair back, hinged connections between the two members whereby the desk member may be turned over and around its supporting member for effecting said conversion as aforesaid, means for mounting said attachment upon and between the uprights at the back of one of said chairs whereby the desk support will lie contained between said upright-s and the desk supported thereby will extend outwardly from its support, and means for mounting said attachment with members convertible as aforesaid upon and between the spaced uprights of adjacent chairs whereby the desk support vconverted will function as a chair back and the desk converted will function as a seat to said back.

6. The combination comprising adjacent spaced chairs having spaced uprights arranged at the backs of said chairs, a removable attachment mountable upon and between the uprights at the backs of said chairs or between spaced uprights of adjacent chairs, said attachment comprising separate members, one a desk convertible into a chair seat and the other a support for 'he desk convertible into a chair back, hinged connections between the two members whereby they may be converted as aforesaid, means for mounting said attachment upon and between the uprights at the back of one of said chairs whereby the desk support will lie contained between said uprights and the desk supported thereby then functioning as a desk will extend outwardly from said support, and means for mounting said attachment with members convertible as aforesaid upon and between the spaced uprights of adjacent chairs whereby the desk support converted will function as a chair back and the desk converted will function as a seat to said back.

7. The combination comprising` adjacent spaced chairs having spaced uprights arranged at the backs of said chairs, a removable, convertible chair attachment comprising a desk member, a supporting member and means hingedly connecting the two members whereby the desk member may be turned from a substantially horizontal position rearwardly of and adjacent the upper end of said supporting member to a substantially horizontal position forwardly and adjacent the lower end portion of said supporting member, means for mounting said attachment on the uprights at the back of one of said chairs whereby said desk member may occupy its said rearwardly-extending position, and means for mounting said attachment on the spaced uprights of adjacent chairs whereby said desk member may occupy its said forwardly-extending position.

8. The combination comprising adjacent spaced chairs having spaced uprights arranged at the backs of said chairs, a removable, convertible chair attachment comprising a desk member, a supporting member and means hingedly connecting the two members whereby the desk member may be turned from a substantially horizontal position rearwardly of and adjacent the upper end of said supporting member to a substantially horizontal position forwardly and adjacent the lower end portion of said supporting member, means for mounting said attachment on the uprights at the back of one of said chairs whereby said desk member may occupy its said rearwardly-extending position, means for mounting said attachment on the spaced uprights of adjacent chairs whereby said desk member may occupy its said forwardly-extending position, means assisting in the support of the desk member when occupying its said rearwardly-extending position, and means for supporting the desk member when occupying its said forwardly-extending position.

9. The combination comprising adjacent spaced chairs having spaced uprights arranged at the backs of said chairs, a removable, convertible chair attachment comprising a desk member, a supporting member and means hingedly connecting the two members whereby the desk member may be turned from a substantially horizontal position rearward'- ly of and adjacent the upper end of said supporting member to a substantially horizontal position forwardly and adjacent the lower end portion of said supporting member, means for mounting said attachment on the uprights at the back of one of said chairs whereby said supporting member may occupy an upright position and said desk member its said rearwardly-extending position, means for mounting said attachment on the spaced uprights of adjacent chairs whereby said supporting member may occupy an upright position and said desk member its said forwardly-eXtending position, means assisting in the support of the desk member when occupying its said rearwardly-extending position, and

means for supporting the desk `member when occupying its said forwardly-extending position.

10. A removable, convertible chair attachment comprising a desk member, a supporting member and means consisting of a plurality of straps and connecting hinges joining said desk member and said supporting member whereby the desk member may be turned from a substantially horizontal position rearwardly of and adjacent the upper end of said supporting member to a substantially horizontal position forwardly of and adjacent the lower end portion of said supporting member, and means assisting in the support of the desk member when occupying its rearwardly-extending position as aforesaid.

ll. A seating system comprising rows of adjacent spaced chairs with aisle spaces between them, supports arranged at the backs of each of said chairs, a plurality of convertible members, means for mounting said members on said supports at the backs of said chairs whereby they may be used as desks, and means for mounting said members in the aisle space between and upon adjacent supports of adjacent spaced chairs whereby they may be used as seats.

l2. A seating system comprising rows of adjacent spaced chairs with aisle spaces between them, supports arranged at the backs of each of said chairs, the distance between said supports at the back of any chair being substantially equal to the distance between adjacent supports of adjacent spaced chairs, and convertible members carrying attaching members for engagement either with said supports at the back of a chair or with adjacent supports of adjacent spaced chairs.

18. A seating system comprising rows of adjacent spaced chairs with aisle spaces between them, supports arranged at the backs of each of said chairs, a plurality of convertible attachable members, and co-operating attaching members on said convertible members and the said supports respectively whereby said convertible members may be supported either on the supports at the backs of the chairs and be used as desks, or between and upon adjacent supports of adjacent spaced chairs to occupy the aisle space and be used as seats.

14. In a convertible chair attachment comprising separate members, one a desk member convertible into a chair seat and the other a support for said desk member convertible into a chair back, a hinged conversion means comprising a member fixed to said desk member, a second member fixed to said support member and an intermediate strap member hingedly connected to the aforesaid members.

15. A removable, convertible chair attachment comprising a desk member, a supporting member, said supporting member having a top crossbar extending rearwardly there- 

